LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

How trust works

Editor, the Journal,

Trust. Trust is everywhere in our lives. Look at the trust we have of the stuff we put in our mouths. Toothpaste, mouthwash, licking the glue on the envelope, the food we eat, the drugs (legal and illegal) we take and so on. Even our money says, "In God We Trust."

Trust is also like a rubber band; sometimes it stretches. Take a relationship where one person beats the hell out of the other partner and they say, "I am sorry and I won't do it again." Well, "again" happens again and again. That is real elastic trust. The cheating spouse that gets caught; "I am sorry and I won't do it again." They already stretched the trust when they started the affair. A few political leaders who stretch the trust on vaccines and cure-alls for diseases. Like the COVID stories: It will be over by Easter. Put Clorox in your veins. Take horse worm remedy medicine. Don't get vaccinated. "Covid Trust" statements made by some politicians killed tens and tens of thousands of trusting Americans.

At times I am a true "truster" of our legal system. You know the Jan. 6 scum- ball insurrectionists at the Capitol. Some of those dirtbags got sentenced to 18 years of jail time for their actions. Yeah!

The really true trust test is with our kids. It is that handoff moment where the child is dropped off at school, or gets on the school bus, or dropped off at summer camp or at a friend's house or at day care or at a church function or events with family members, and so on. All of you have heard or read the stories about child tragedies that went south rather than north.

With regard to the "trust factor," please be very vigilant out there concerning who or what you trust. Remember trust is given. Mistrust is earned. Trust me!

Earl W. Burt, Bremerton

What would Jesus do?

Editor, the Journal,

Is the far religious right really right? Does the Bible support these warriors for God?

What does the King James version of the Bible have to say about forcing your beliefs on others?

First off, it seems there is a stark difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament.

Jesus, the son of God, is the main character in the New Testament. He had little or no respect for the corrupt Jewish religious leaders who take considerable pride in their Old Testament beliefs and laws.

More importantly, he had much to say about how we should treat ourselves and others. There are too many references to that end than can be pointed out here.

However, as an example in Matthew chapter 7, the first five paragraphs.

Also, John chapter 8, the first 11 paragraphs. Of particular interest is the conversation between Jesus and the woman.

To those of us who read but don't see, it is important to note why these self-righteous stone-throwers slowly faded away.

I have yet to meet a Christian who did not freely admit that all of us are sinners in the eyes of God and that we also have what is commonly described as free choice to sin or not to sin.

So, is it biblical (based on the above bit of biblical information) for a sinner to sit in judgment over another sinner and deprive them of free choice when Christ repeatedly refused to condemn or judge? At least for the time being, but that is another story.

Are these people, "these followers of Christ" placing themselves above Christ by actively forcing beliefs on others?

Just curious, I am no expert in these matters but fundamentally they don't seem to be right.

Scott Peterson, Shelton

Check assessment

Editor, the Journal,

Assessed value for the 2024 year is unsustainable for the average homeowner/taxpayer. I am challenging my 30% increase through the board of equalization; I'm waiting for the comps used in my new assessed value. Contacted our state Mason County representatives, and it was explained to me the state's Growth Management Act is applied to all counties equally and this hurts our rural counties like Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Jefferson. People are buying in north Mason and Union and commuting to Seattle. Their ability to pay more than an average worker making average pay in Mason County increases our assessed values.

The 2022 census for Mason County states 24.5% are over the age of 65. In 2022, we only had 240 building permits listed. Over the period 2016 through 2020, 12.6% of Mason

County's population was living below the poverty level.

We have one county analyst accredited through the Department of Revenue. One person who does all the statistical math for all of Mason. How is this humanly possible to accurately evaluate the whole county every year?

Contact our state senators, consider that California Proposition 13 provides three very important functions in property tax assessments in California. Under Prop. 13, all real property has established base year values, a restricted rate of increase on assessments of no greater than 2% each year, and a limit on property taxes to 1% of the assessed value (plus additional voter-approved taxes). Mason County needs to live within our means and budget. Next time you vote to increase taxes or for a levy lid lift, remember the postcard you got in the mail and that you need to pay the increase until you prove their math wrong. Every year.

Terri Pressly, Kamilche

God and country

Editor, the Journal,

As Americans, we celebrate many great and joyful holidays from New Year's Day to Dec. 31.

But all these days in between we have forgotten a very important one.

The signing of the Constitution of the United States on Sept. 17, 1787. It has been forgotten, ignored and sometimes not mentioned publicly. How sad.

The document that gives all Americans rights and freedoms we take for granted. The original signers realized we needed a good strong and proper document to make our country strong for all Americans.

I feel that without the Constitution, the 4th of July would have been for naught. Without all these freedoms and rights in the Constitution, our country would not be here today.

As an American, I am thankful for the Constitution every day I am free to speak and think and live free.

For God and country.

Bob Stone, Shelton

Assessment questions

Editor, the Journal,

This is copy of a letter mailed to County Assessor Patti McLean.

The fact is Ms. McLean, that real estate housing prices are produced artificially for capricious reasons. In the case of Mason County in particular, there was no local economic basis for the recent rise in real estate housing prices that has driven your roller-coaster-like increase reflected by your 2024 property tax assessment notice.

No, the economic basis was realized because neighboring counties were able to add job-enhancing industries that created Mason County as a bedroom community. Why? Because of our county's reputation of much less-expensive costs for land and housing.

So why must our residences, occupied for the long term, be subjected to the monetary gains afforded only to an artificial supply and demand market created by developers and real estate agencies? Does the mass appraisal process apparently used by your office really reflect the reality of our county's economic situation?

Or is it a temporary cash cow for governmental use to raise services and employee levels only to find that in time and lacking further neighboring economic endeavors they will find themselves short of adequate operating tax funds? Why? Because the future will have reverted back to more realistic real estate sales pricing assessments.

There is absolutely no reason practicality cannot be employed by elected officials to arrive at practical solutions. So, why harm the economic situations of constituents with such as the abnormal property tax assessment increases put upon your community Ms. McLean?

And why aren't those necessary costs absorbed by the profits realized only by the developers and Realtors? There certainly was no 28% increase (my tax assessment) in my salary level or the profit I may have realized if I'd taken advantage of that silly artificial market. Only to find a new residence will cost me as much.

G. Owen Ray, Allyn

How to judge a judge

Editor, the Journal,

I am writing to urge the people of Mason County to retain one of the most professional and competent judges I have ever met, and that judge is Cadine Ferguson-Brown.

Many people ask what do you want in a judge, if you were the litigants? By far, the responses are educated, competent, professional, even-handed, and a judge willing to look at both sides. That is Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown. Cadine's legal education consists of a high honor law degree from the University of Wolverhampton, and numerous certifications in various areas of law, including mediation, guardianship and civil procedure. She has received the Mark Hansen Pro Bono Award in recognition of outstanding service to her community. Her life education revolves around her family and her community.

She and her military husband are raising four boys. Cadine is active in parent-school activities with her children and various community activities such as church outreach, youth mentorship, and other legal and judicial outreach focusing on giving a voice to small rural areas such as Mason County.

She has been one of our judicial officers since 2021 and has presided over hundreds of civil and criminal cases. She has a proven track record as being a fair and impartial jurist for over two years.

Cadine Ferguson-Brown is an outstanding jurist and an asset to our community. She is my choice and hopefully yours as well.

Christine Pomeroy, Belfair

Statistics can mislead

Editor, the Journal,

I was talking with a student recently who just finished a college statistics class, and it reminded me of my grad school professor talking about how to lie with statistics. That led to thoughts about the upcoming election on Nov. 7.

I encourage each of you who are eligible to vote to do so. At the same time, the former teacher in me would encourage you to do your homework before voting. Consider reading about candidates in public records and voter pamphlets, observing them in action when possible, talking with others who have worked with them, and talking with them personally at events and candidate forums. Please don't base your vote on who has the biggest or most memorable sign, name recognition nor party affiliation alone.

This brings me back to my comment about statistics. If a candidate says that s/he has experience, find out if it's relevant to the position for which they are running. If they say they have the support of a certain segment of the population, determine the nature of that support. For example, if I have three friends who are educators that support me, it is not untrue that I am "endorsed by educators."

The few weeks before the election will go by quickly. I suggest you don't return to those school-day habits of waiting until the last minute to do your homework.

Leah Clarke, Shelton